We commend Congress and President Obama for reaching a deal to extend the debt limit and avoiding a disastrous default. But the deal also dangles a Sword of Damocles over our national security later this year when further cuts would be triggered unless another compromise is reached. The cuts to defense proposed in the ‘trigger’ deal are so draconian that it’s hard to believe they are even on the table.

In the initial round of proposed reductions, cutting an estimated $350 billion more from the defense budget forces Pentagon leadership to make extremely tough…

The ongoing FAA shutdown is having a broad and deep negative impact on aviation and our economy. As a result of Congress’ failure to pass an authorization extension, the FAA has been forced to issue stop work orders on contracts reportedly worth more than $7 billion.

Reports from AIA member companies reflect contract employee layoffs as well as disruptions to second- and third-tier suppliers, often small businesses. It’s also unclear whether the FAA will be able to make significant payments to contractors in the next couple of weeks. Most small businesses lack the flexibility…

It’s very disturbing that after 20 short-term extensions and almost four years without an FAA authorization bill, Congress decided to let FAA partially shut down today.

At midnight tonight, roughly 4,000 employees will be sent home and important airport projects and improvements like the Next Generation Air Transportation System will stop. Especially perplexing is that while the country worries about our nation’s fiscal health, this congressional impasse will cost the government over $200 million a week in lost revenue.

Yet, despite this unprecedented distraction, FAA will operate our national airspace system as safely as always.…